Kentucky Man Climbs the Tower of Hercules, The World’s Oldest Working Lighthouse

That is the Tower of Hercules. During a European vacation a couple of weeks ago, I climbed it.

THE TOWER OF HERCULES

The Tower of Hercules holds the impressive distinction of being the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Believe it or not, it dates back to the 1st Century. Today, it stands a whopping 180-feet tall and towers over the North Atlantic Coast of Spain.

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SPAIN'S CITY OF GLASS

The lighthouse is located in A Coruña. The city is nicknamed "The City of Glass' because of its breathtaking windowscapes.

Okay, I'm not sure 'windowscapes' is an actual word, but I think it's the only one that accurately describes these buildings that line the harbor. There's no doubt. They are gorgeous and a beloved calling card for the city.

However, for me, the coolest thing about A Coruña is its lighthouse, which today is a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's a museum at the base of the lighthouse that details its timeline and Roman history. Fun fact- Julius Caesar gets a mention on that timeline. That's certainly fascinating enough.

But the real thrill is the climb to the top! The views from the lighthouse are stunning.

From the top it becomes very clear why it was built where it was built. The views of the coastline from the Tower of Hercules will take your breath away.

So will the views of the Tower of Hercules from the coastline. After climbing the tower, I climbed down the coastline and captured this!

THE STATUE NEAR THE TOWER OF HERCULES

Here's one of my favorite photos from my visit. Just below the Tower of Hercules stands this guy.

Interestingly enough, that's not a Roman or a Greek god. It's Breogán. He was a Celtic king who, as legend claims, wandered the Earth until arriving in Iberia.

That legend also claims that, by building the tower, the king's son could see Ireland.